Oil line clearing and testing device



Aug. 27, 1957 Filed Feb, '7, 1955 J. z. HARMON 2,803,961

OIL. LINE CLEARING AND TESTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet l jazz/2M7;-

jmzle Fm/wzam Z39 (4' @4 Aug. 27, 1957 HARMON 2,803,961

OIL LINE CLEARING AND TESTING DEVICE Filed Feb. 7,- 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2/2 were 70 cleaning up.

United States Patent This invention is concerned generally with fuel line clearing devices and more particularly, relates to a novel multipurpose device for clearing and testing fuel lines of oil burner systems which will greatly assist the serviceman on the premises.

Statistics pointing to increased residential construction attest to the increasing demand on the time of servicemen. The problem is further aggravated by the increased incidence of emergency calls in which the heating system has broken down and the Serviceman must make repairs speedily on the premises.

There are myriads of reasons for oil-burning heating plants requiring servicing or breaking down, which include clogging of the fuel lines, air, Water or other contaminant in the fuel lines, pump or tank, failure of the fuel pump to maintain proper pressure and create sufiicient vacuum due to loose or damaged fittings. Where the source of the trouble indicates clearing of the fuel lines is in order, this is generally done through a relief outlet provided on the fuel pump. This is not a simple matter since oil in the line is under pressure so that upon opening of the outlet, the oil will be ejected with considerable force. Heretofore the practice has been to attempt to capture the ejected oil in a container available on the premises or brought by the servicernan such as a bucket, jar or the like. Such practices have not been entirely satisfactory or successful since ejected oil not captured will be splattered on the premises and appointments therein. Not only was the Serviceman required to bear the expense of the damage, but his time was wasted Also, splattered oil is a fire hazard of considerable proportion. Thus, it will be seen that the serviceman faced with such an emergency call must not only first pin-point the cause of the breakdown, but must thereafter repair the same without causing damage or messiness.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a device of the character described which will be particularly useful to the serviceman for repairing and servicing oil burner heating systems. In conjunction with this object, it also is intended to provide a portable, compact device capable of being employed for clearing oil lines without danger of splattering and throwing of oil; and which device may be employed further as a testing device to enable the Serviceman to pin-point other possible causes of breakdown of the system such as enumerated hereinabove.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which is capable of connection to the relief outlet on the fuel pump for clearing the fuel lines or connection between the oil intake port on the fuel pump and the fuel line from the oil tank as a testing device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which includes a container having ports in the ends thereof and a flexible conduit connected at one end thereof to a port, the opposite end of the conduit having male connector means for coupling synthetic resin, such as methacrylate resins.

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the conduit to said relief outlet; and said male connector means having a check valve therein for preventing contents from inadvertently flowing out of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as described having a compound gauge installed on said container adapting the device for multiple testing purposes.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds, in connection with which a preferred embodiment has been described and shown. Variations in size, proportion, arrangement and construction of various parts of the inventionmay occur to the artisan skilled in the art to which the invention appertains without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a medial sectional view taken through said device along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through said devic along the line 33 of Fig. 1 and in the direction indicated.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken through one end of the device along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 and in the direction shown.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken through the coupling means at one end of the conduit along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 and in the direction indicated.

Figs. 6 and 7 are diagrammatic illustrations showing different ways of connecting said device for using same.

The oil-burner heating system in connection with which the device embodying the invention is capable of being used is well known and hence complete details of the system have not been illustrated. For purposes of understanding the invention, the pertinent features of the system which need be considered are the fuel tank shown generally at 10, the fuel pump 11 and the furnace shown generally at 12. Oil is fed from the tank 10 through a fuel line 13 to the intake port 14 on the pump, connection of the line 13 with the port 14 being effected through an externally threaded elbow 15 connected at one end to the port 14 and at its other end to the line 13 by means of a removable nut (not shown). On pumps of the type herewith concerned, there usuallyis provided a tapped port 16 through which access to a by-pass plug is obtainable in the case of a two-pipe installation or which is closed by a removable plug (not shown) in the case of a single-pipe installation. In a two-pipe installation, port 16 is referred to as a return port, but for purposes of this invention, the port 16 is considered generally as a relief outlet and will be referred to as such. Other details of the system are well known and will be found to be unnecessary to a complete understanding of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, the device embodying the invention has been designated generally by the reference character 20. Same comprises an elongate container 20a, shown (although not restricted thereto) as generally cylindrical and preferably formed of a strong, transparent The end faces of the container each have a port 21 and 22 respectively therein. The annular wall of the container has anopening in which is mounted a pressure fitting 23 supporting the gauge 24. Gauge 24 may be a simple pressure gauge or a compound gauge capable of giving readings in units of pressure or vacuum which the pump 11 can draw.

Connected to the port 22 is a female connector memlber comprising flared nut 26 having a threaded hollow stem 27. The head of the nut has been recessed :sufliciently deep to communicate with the hollow stem. Recess 28 is internally threaded adapting same to receive a plilg 29 which, when screwed home seals the passageway through the stem and hence port 221 Secured to the plug 29 is a sampling rod 30 extending substantially axially outward of the end of the plug. As shown in Fig; 2",. rod 30 is angularly disposed relative to the stem 26 and is. sufli'c-iently long so that when inserted through port 22', the rod will substantially traverse the length of chamber 25 in the container and stand away from port 21.

Connectedto the opposite port 21' isa hollow fitting 3 't o which is swivelly connected the end'36. of a flexible pressure conduit 37. The conduit 37 preferably is of the kind havingv a woven metallic sheath encasing the same. To the opposite end 38 thereof is connected a male connector fitting; designated generally 39. The fitting. 39" includes a. longitudinally b'ored connector 40 having. a'st'em 44. of reduced diameter which is passed through sleeve 43' tightly engaged over end 38 and telescoped into the open end" of conduit 37'. Extremity 44 of Said stem is enlarged to help retain the stem. secured in the conduit. On= the opposite end of. the member 40 is provided an externally threaded nipple 45 on. the interior of which is secured an apertured plug 46. Assembled on the interior ofmember 40 between plug 46 and the shoulder 47 is a check valve designated generally 48 seen to comprise a spring-press ball assembled in a well known manner normally to block off the aperture in plug 46. The strength of the spring is relatively small so that even a small force applied inwardly against the ball is sufiicient to move same clear of the aperture in the plug 46. However, in normal position, the valve 48 will prevent contents of the conduit and hence container 25 from inadvertently spilling out.

We consider use of device 20 in the installation shown in- Fig. 6. The Serviceman called to repair or service an oil-burner system has decided to clear the fuel lines of the system. He stops the fuel pump 11 and removes the plug. from the relief outlet 16 and screws into the tapped port thereat the nipple 45' of fitting 39. In most cases, the tapped port 16 is a inch opening and hence the nipple 45 also will have a /3 inch 0. D. Some pumps have a inch tappedi port in which case an additional fitting, may be mounted. over nipple 45 to adjust the size thereof. The plug 29 is withdrawn a small amount suflicient to permit exit of. air from between the threads thereat and the pump started. Any air which has fouled the fuel lines will be withdrawn through port 16 and will pass through the container and escape through port 22'. Any spurting'and splattering of oil in this operation "is positively prevented by means of the device since it be captured in the container 20a. Just as soon as fuel is seen entering the container, the pump may be stopped at an automatically primed condition.

However, in this installation, the device- 20 may be used in other ways also. The serviceman can leave the pump running until he notices "all air has been cleared from the lines and oil commences to enter chamber 25. When this is firstnoticed, the plug 29 is screwed home sealing port 22 and the container filled completely with oil. Upon filling" the container, the serviceman can take a. reading of the pressure gauge 24 to determine the pressure at which the oil is being fed to the furnace for combustion There is an optimum pressure and any reading less than the optimum indicates something else wrong with the heating system. Thus, the device, still in the "installation for clearing. air from the fuel lines, also or. water changes color and the rod. inserted into the oil in. chamber 4 If there is a color change indicatpresence of water in the fuel, the plug 29 may be 4 withdrawn and the pump started to clear such contaminated fuel from the system. Water and certain other contaminants may be visible through the container walls. Ordinarily, water will accumulate at the bottom of the tank 12 so that upon operation of the pump, water or contaminated fuel will be withdrawn first through port 50 and fed through the pump into the container 20a. The discharge from the container through flared nut 26 may be continued until the. water or contaminated fuel is withdrawn from the heating system. The device 20 is then disconnected an-dthe porti16 sealed.

In the installation of Fig. 7, the device 20 is installed for further testing of the heat system. Relief port 16 is closed. The nut by means of. Whichfuel line 13 and elbow 15 have been connected is removed. Plug 29 is removed from flared nut 26 and nut 26 is then coupled with the elbow. For this purpose, the recess 28 of the nut ordinarily is inch so as to screw onto elbow 15; The threaded nipple 45 is screwed into the adjacent end' of fuel line 13. The pump 11 is started and fuel withdrawn from tank 12 is by-passed through thec'o'ntainer 20a on its way to intake port 14. In this installation, readings taken on the gauge 24 enable the serviceman to check the vacuum drawn by said pump. A failure todraw proper amount of vacuum can indicate loose fittings, faulty valves or the like in the system. The device 26) may be left so installed until full repair of the system whereupon another reading may be taken. The pump is then shut off and the device 20 disconnected.

It will thus be seen that the invention provides a simple, compact, portable and sturdy device capable of use in a variety of capacities. Throughout its use as described, the seating system remains properly closed and no oil need be splattered or thrown thereby. The various connector members on the device may be formed of conventional parts readily available and varied in size to suit most fittings presently in use on such systems.

It is believed the invention has been described sufiiciently to enable the artisan skilled in the field of endeavor to which same pertains to understand and practice the same. It is intended the scope and breadth of the invention be prescribed only as set forth in the claims hereto appended.

I claim:

1. In an oil burning heatinng' system having a fuel tank and a fuel pump with an oil intake inlet and a tapped relief outlet, and a fuel line connected between said inlet and tank with the connection at the inlet being severable: a multi-purpose portable device for insertion in said system both to clear and test the fuel lines thereof comprising, an elongate, transparent pressure vessel having a port in each end wall thereof, a female coupling member having a bore therethrough secured to one end wall in a said port and having a flared portion exterior of the end wall, said flared portion having a threaded recess opening to the external end face thereof and communicating with said bore at its opposite end, the diameter of said recess enabling coupling thereof to said intake inlet, a threaded plug screwed into said recess movable to a first position sealing the bore and to a second position opening the bore and providing vents between the screw threads for bleeding of air therethrough, a flexible pressure conduit attached at one end thereof to the other port and having a male coupling member at the opposite end thereof of suitable dimension for coupling to said relief outlet, a compound pressure gauge operably installed on the vessel, said device adapted to be installed in the system either with the male coupling member coupled to said relief outlet, the plug movably engaged in the recess and the connection maintained for operation to bleed air from the fuel lines or with said connection severed,the plug removed and the recess coupled with said inlet and the male coupling member coupl'ed to the fuel line for testing the pressure generated in-the system by the said pump.

6 2. A device as described in claim 1 in which there is References Cited in the file of this patent a sampling rod secured to the end face of said plug extend- UNITED STATES PATENTS lng lnto the vessel substant1ally the entlre length there- 1,853,970 Gauthier Apt 12, 1932 of and offset from the axis of said other port. 2 183 189 G 0 l 5 rmey Dec. 12, 1939 3. A device as described 1n claim 2 1n WhlCh said male 2,326,652 Ikert Aug. 10, 1943 coupling member has a one-way valve normally prevent- 2,566,742 Odell Sept 4 1951 111 th f mg e ere mm FOREIGN PATENTS 611,664 Great Bn'tain Nov. 2, 1948 

